A life lost to diabetes inspires benefit event

Many families feel the harsh effects of diabetes. The family of the late Alison ''Ali'' Fisk Urzan decided to try and do something about a disease that is one of the top killers in the United States.

On Saturday, Urzan's family will hold the second annual Rally for Ali to raise funds for the Stem Cell Institute at Harvard University. The event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. at Krause's Grove in Halfmoon and will feature a picnic with soda, beer, live music, games, door prizes and raffles. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children under 12.

Music was one of the chief pleasures of Ali Urzan's life, said her husband, Walter Urzan, and Saturday's event will feature performances by musicians the couple enjoyed, including Blue Hand Luke, Green Mountain Pranksters and the John Morse Band.

There will also be a pre-picnic motorcycle and car cavalcade around the Tomhannock Reservoir; participants will meet at the Troy Plaza on Hoosick Street at 10 a.m. to sign up; the ride will commence at 11 a.m.

The Tomhannock was one of Ali Urzan's favorite places, according to Walter Urzan. Ali, who died at age 48 in September 2008, grew up in Melrose, not far from the reservoir, and it was a favorite destination during the couple's frequent motorcycle rides.

''She had a lot of fond memories of there,'' Walter Urzan said.

He said his wife of 10 years had struggled for decades with complications from Type 1 diabetes, including problems with her feet, eyes and heart, before she died of complications related to the disease. She was not alone in her struggle: Walter Urzan said several of Ali's relatives also have Type 1 diabetes. Spurred by the suffering the disease has caused in her family, Ali's mother wrote a letter to then-President George W. Bush. Walter Urzan said the letter appealed for a change in the Bush administration's policy limiting stem-cell research, which many scientists view as the most promising path to a cure for diabetes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control lists diabetes as one of leading causes of death in America.

Before her health declined, Ali and her mother had talked about doing a fundraiser to benefit stem cell research, Walter Urzan said. After her death, Ali's mother contacted the institute at Harvard offering to do a fundraiser.

He said the inaugural event last year raised several thousand dollars. ''We just want to find a cure,'' he said.